Candidate filing window officially open

Several candidates file on first day

Aaron Osowski, The Park Record

Posted:
03/14/2014 05:03:25 PM MDT

Summit County Council Chair Chris Robinson, left, speaks with Summit County Chief Deputy Clerk Ryan Cowley Friday morning while filing for re-election at the County Courthouse in Coalville. (Christopher Reeves/Park Record)

The partisan races for two seats on the Summit County Council and seven department-head positions got off to a strong start Friday. afternoon on the first day of the filing window, five incumbent department heads filed for re-election and there was a three-way race for the sheriff's post.

The filing window is particularly short this year, just five working days, and will be closely followed by the political parties' neighborhood caucuses where delegates to the county and state conventions will be selected.

By late in the day on Friday the following candidates had filled out the official paperwork to run for office:

Auditor

Scot Carlson, a Park City resident with 23 years of professional financial experience, declared his intent to run for the position of auditor, which is currently held by Blake Frazier (D), who is not seeking re-election.

Republican Dax Shane, left, files for candidacy on Friday morning for Summit County Sheriff and speaks with Summit County Democratic Party Chair Glenn Wright, who filed for the 54th State House District. (Christopher Reeves/Park Record)

Current Summit County Attorney David Brickey (R) and his challenger, former District Court Judge Robert Hilder (D), both filed for county attorney Friday morning, and were engaged in friendly conversation, recounting past experiences in District Court together.

Hilder said more focus needs to be placed on the Civil Division of the Attorney's Office and that less money should be "wasted" on disputes and litigation rather than good legal counsel.

Brickey stressed more focus on the civil side of the office as well, and said continued development of the Drug Court is crucial.

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Assessor

Current Assessor Steve Martin (D), from Oakley, was the only candidate to file for the position as of Friday. He said he enjoys what he does and wants to continue. He said is involved with the Multi-County Appraisal Trust's effort to develop an assessing software program for all 29 counties.

County Council Seats D and E

County Council members Chris Robinson (D) and Dave Ure (R) are both up for re-election. Both have declared their intent to run, and Robinson filed early Friday morning. He said he adds value to the Council and brings experience in land use and environmental issues.

"My main [concern] is how we perpetuate our quality of life. That entails how we allow ourselves to grow, how we preserve the environment, how we can prosper economically and how we can keep clean air and water," Robinson said.

Craig Williams, a Park City resident and market interface manager with the Western Electricity Coordinating Council, filed to run as a Republican against Robinson on Friday afternoon.

Current Clerk Kent Jones (D) filed for candidacy on Friday morning. Jones had expressed reluctance that he was going to apply last year due to a potential merging of the Clerk's Office with the Auditor's Office, but that did not happen.

On Friday afternoon, local real estate agent Nick Coleman told The Park Record that he intends to file for the Republican nomination for the clerk position early next week. Coleman is a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel who believes his experience with technology and IT would serve him well as clerk.

Recorder

Recorder MaryAnn Trussell (D) filed on Friday morning to keep her post, saying she is dedicated to serving the public. She added that she is an advocate for property and ownership rights and said that tracking ownership is important for her position.

Treasurer

Treasurer Corrie Forsling (D) filed for re-election on Friday morning and said she is "very proud" of what the Treasurer's Office has accomplished over the last few years, including allowing taxpayers to sign up for monthly debit pre-payments for paying property taxes.

"I'm also looking to increase efficiencies within the office and use the latest technologies to keep us up with the times," Forsling said.

Kamas resident Amy Yost filed Friday afternoon to run as a Republican against Forsling. Yost has been a treasurer with several different companies over the years and has worked in the mortgage and financial services industry for about 20 years.

"I've always thought of myself as pretty patriotic. I've always been involved in the community and I just wanted to get more involved with local government," Yost said.

Sheriff

With Sheriff Dave Edmunds (R) not seeking re-election, three candidates filed for the position on Friday morning: Summit County Sheriff's Capt. Justin Martinez will seek the Democratic nomination while Dax Shane of the Salt Lake City Police Department and Kris Hendricksen of the Utah Valley University Police Department will vie for the Republican nomination.

State offices

With the candidate filing window conveniently scheduled the day after the state legislative session, 26th District Sen. Kevin Van Tassell (R-Vernal) filed Friday with the Lieutenant Governor's Office.

53rd District Rep. Melvin Brown (R-Coalville) filed for re-election on Friday afternoon. For 54th District, Summit County Democratic Party Chair Glenn Wright filed on Friday morning, and is set to run against Rep. Kraig Powell (R-Heber City), who has declared his candidacy but has not yet filed.

28th District Rep. Brian King (D-Salt Lake), who represents Summit Park and portions of Pinebrook, had not filed for re-election as of Friday.